$$ Identify, comprehend, and analyse alternative concepts, models, frameworks, and issues in supplier selection, supplier management, supplier relationship management and supplier reward systems

$$ Analyse types of relationships, intensity of relationship involvement, and models of developing and implementing successful supply chain relationships while recognising the strategic importance of supplier integration

$$ Identify, analyse, relate, and appreciate stakeholder working relationships which leads to effective relationship building, and the strategic role of supplier and stakeholder relationship management in supply chain management

Assessment Brief:

Consider a buyer organisation with a very large supply base where almost $90\%$ of the suppliers are not strategic and are possible to be substituted by other suppliers without impacting operations. The consumer cannot see the supply chain upstream from the buyer organisation. Thus, there is no solid binding for a brand and little chance of losing customers due to changes in the supplier base as long as high quality is maintained.

The buyer organisation is considering increasing its competitive advantage against its direct competition in the same market by implementing innovative technology as part of its movement to Industry $4\mathrm{.}0.$ The current plan foresees the selection of innovative technology to strengthen their market position, increase the consumer's positive perception, and implement this across the supply chain. As the supplier base is interchangeable to a large extent, the current approach intends to force suppliers to shift towards technology to maintain a business relationship. The suppliers must cover the cost to adapt to the new requirements.

Using the above scenario, write a report to critically analyse the current approach of the buyer organisation with respect to supplier relationships and stakeholder management. What are your thoughts on which stakeholder management approach$/$theories explain the scenario and why? Please make use of the theories given in the lectures.